Tempranillo is the leading grape of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, giving red-fruit and leather flavours that take beautifully to long American-oak ageing into dill and vanilla. Its name nods to its early ripening (temprano means 'early' in Spanish).
Characteristics
- Colour
- red
- Body
- medium
- Sweetness
- dry
- Tannin
- medium
- Acidity
- medium
- Also known as
- Tinta del País, Tinto Fino, Aragonez
Typical flavours
- red cherry
- dried fig
- leather
- dill
- tobacco
Where Tempranillo grows best
What to eat with Tempranillo
- roast lamb
- cured ham
- grilled chorizo